They will take on South Koreans Ko Sung-hyun-Shin Baek-cheol for a place in the semi-finals.
Both were engaged in fierce mid-court exchanges and clever winning jabs to stay hot on the heels of one another.

The Japanese did just enough to take the fast-paced opener but the
Malaysians fought back to take the second amidst several pool line
calls.

The boiling point happened when the Malaysians were leading 19-17 in
the decider. A shot by the Japanese was called in and Thien How reacted
by throwing his racquet in anger.

“It was clearly out and I got mad. It was for the third time that the
linesmen had erred. Fortunately, I stayed cool to finish the job,” said
Thien How.

Wee Kiong was just happy that they stayed positive throughout the match to make it to the quarter-finals.

“Our combination worked better today. We were able to cover for one another and supported one another,” said Wee Kiong.

“Our job is far from over and we will be ready to play even better
against the Koreans. I need to cut down on my mistakes though,” added
Wee Kiong, who served to the net several times.

Veterans Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong failed to make it a double joy
when they went down fighting 21-14, 10-21, 19-21 to Lee Sheng-mu-Tsai
Chia-hsin of Taiwan.

“We were trailing 9-12 in the decider but did well to close the gap.
Unfortunately, in my eagerness to win, I misjudged some shots. It is
unfortunate that I could not end my last stint with Koo on a winning
note,” said Boon Heong.

Meanwhile, in the men’s singles, world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei kept the
national flag flying high with another fantastic display of agility and
strength to beat Scott Evans of Ireland 21-11, 21-12.

He will take on China’s former world junior champion Wang Zhengming, whom he had beaten 11 times.

“It is great to enter the quarter-finals. The real test begins for me,” said the two-time World Championships runners-up.

Meanwhile, there were several major upsets in the third round of the women’s events.